Man jumps into Waddell canal to save his dog, likely drowns

WADDELL, Ariz. (AP) - The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a death of a man in Waddell who jumped into a canal to save his dog.

Sheriff’s deputies said a man in his 50s and his wife were walking their dog Saturday morning along the canal in the city northwest of Phoenix.

At one point, the dog got loose and fell into the canal.

The man jumped in after the dog to rescue it and didn’t resurface.

Rural Metro crews began a water rescue search of the canal, but they said the man floated into a nearby irrigation tunnel.

Authorities said the water was about 5 feet deep and the man was under water for at least 10 minutes.

The man was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

His name hasn’t been released.

Sheriff’s officials said the death is being investigated, but it appears to be an accident.